| Alcoholics and drug abusers have the option of being | | | | required to resist temptation. |
| treated in various formats. Their choices range from | | | | Medications which reduce physical symptoms of |
| inpatient treatment in the hospital to outpatient | | | | withdrawal and counseling and psychotherapy used to |
| treatment in the therapists office or clinic. | | | | treat any possible symptoms of mental illness are |
| Substance abuse treatment centers offer different | | | | usually part of a complete program of interventions. |
| programs and techniques depending on their philosophy | | | | These four methods are successful because of the |
| of recovery. Also, they can be customized to an | | | | powerful synergy they generate. Alcohol and drug |
| individual patients needs in order to increase the | | | | treatment centers that provide this four-pronged |
| chances of achieving the positive outcome of the | | | | approach focus on the unique needs of each patient. |
| patient staying clean and sober. | | | | This comprehensive approach also addresses their |
| Outpatient treatment occurring in the doctors office | | | | psychiatric needs, whether they be symptoms of |
| can be an effective solution for the alcoholic or addict | | | | depression, anxiety or any other psychological disorder. |
| with a more recent history of addiction. However, | | | | Substance abuse patients, through these interventions, |
| treatment programs that are shorter than 90 days | | | | are likely to acquire the new coping skills that they will |
| have a higher risk of not achieving the positive longer | | | | need in order to live their alcohol and drug-free lives |
| term result sought. | | | | effectively and successfully. |
| Hospital-based inpatient programs which last 90 days | | | | These programs also provide continuing aftercare for |
| or more are considered a more effective option. | | | | the patient once he is released from treatment. |
| However, those programs lasting at least 12 months | | | | Sobriety skills are not learned in a day so patients are |
| have the highest chance of resulting in long term | | | | better served by programs of 90 to 360 day durations |
| sobriety because the patients physical addiction is | | | | in order to receive the powerful repetition and |
| treated as well as his or her psychiatric needs. | | | | reinforcement required to make sobriety skills their |
| Many of the briefer treatments can only provide | | | | own. This enhances the odds that alcohol and drug |
| detoxification and do not teach addicts the all-important | | | | abuse patients will have remained in treatment long |
| skills necessary to remain free from alcohol or drugs in | | | | enough to have sufficiently integrated their skills to |
| everyday life. Unfortunately, this leaves them | | | | remain sober after treatment. |
| vulnerable to the toxic pressures and stimuli that can | | | | Longer treatment provides the time needed for the |
| cause them to abuse mind-altering substances once | | | | patient to thoroughly integrate their new coping skills |
| again. | | | | and to resolve any past issues which may have been |
| Treatment programs that are longer-term add to the | | | | crucial in engendering the abusive behavior. |
| addicts chances of success because of the additional | | | | Shorter-term treatment does offer sufficient time to |
| treatment customization and powerful repetition of | | | | eliminate the addictive substance from the body but is |
| therapeutic concepts that take place. The best alcohol | | | | usually not sufficient for the patient to master the skills |
| and drug rehabilitation programs provide | | | | required to function drug and alcohol-free in everyday |
| diverseinterventions that are customized to the addicts | | | | life. |
| individual requirements. | | | | Longer-term alcohol and drug abuse programs provide |
| However, the foundation is usually based on the | | | | the best chances of a patient living a sober life. The |
| Alcoholics Anonymous and Narconon 12-step | | | | needs of the alcoholic and drug addict are unique and |
| programs; they emphasize the addicts spiritual needs in | | | | being aware of the options available for treatment will |
| preparing them for alcohol and drug-free everyday life. | | | | make selecting an alcohol or drug abuse treatment |
| Behavioral therapies are also included which teach the | | | | program easier and more successful. |
| alcoholic or drug abuser proven coping skills that are | | | | |